In the News
SBA administrator joins WV's Manchin to talk COVID-19 relief for small business owners
by Clarissa Cottrill
The head of the U.S. Small Business Administration joined regional officials and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., Monday for a conversation about the Paycheck Protection Program and helping businesses navigate the ongoing pandemic. Administrator Jovita Carranza visited Morgantown to speak with local business owners, bankers and members of the Morgantown Area Partnership to discuss how the community is coping with COVID-19’s economic impact and what more can be done to help. “It’s … Continue Reading
June 15, 2020
Outdoors Act will bring jobs, park repairs, more outdoor recreation to state
by Rick Steelhammer
A stable and increased revenue stream not dependent on taxpayers will benefit outdoor recreation and land conservation in West Virginia and across the nation for generations to come through passage of the Great American Outdoors Act, according to Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. The legislation, which Manchin introduced in March, would also create a $9.5 billion fund to pay for backlogged repairs and upgrades to aging National Park Service infrastructure, including about $20 million worth of … Continue Reading
May 27, 2020
Senator Manchin and FCC Commissioner Rosenworcel urge Lewis County to speed test
by Rebecca Young
Last fall, we went back to school. We visited Lewis County High School in Weston to gather in the auditorium and speak at an assembly about broadband access in the community. Our message to the students was simple: If you can’t connect, you can’t compete. Today, having broadband is essential for everyone. It’s how students do their homework. It’s how businesses communicate with customers. It’s how health care gets to patients – especially during the … Continue Reading
May 26, 2020
Internet Woes: Putting your speeds to the test
by Kelsey Souto
When COVID-19 shut down schools, sending students to learn from home for the remainder of the school year, school districts became faced with a real problem overnight. How to provide an equal education to all. Scrambling to offer internet connectivity, Cabell County Schools parked one of their buses in a church parking lot. A sign placed in the window, telling students how to log-in and get WiFi access. Think of it as a big yellow hot spot. Michelle Terry is a teacher working from home and … Continue Reading
May 08, 2020
Manchin: AG Barr says transfer of federal prisoners over for length of pandemic
by Mike Nolting
U.S. Senator Joe Manchin says he’s been told by U.S. Attorney William Barr there will be no more transfers of federal prisoners for the remainder of the COVID-19 pandemic to federal prisons in Preston and Gilmer counties. “He (Barr) calls me first thing this (Friday) morning and said, ‘Joe I want you to know I put a permanent stop on any prisoners coming to West Virginia,'” Manchin said Friday on MetroNews “Talkline.””I told him I’m very … Continue Reading
April 30, 2020
Feds OK fix to Medicare billing issues at WV senators' urging
by Joe Severino
Federal officials have approved a fix to pay discrepancies for health care providers who serve Medicare patients over the phone, according to a news release. Before the change Thursday, video telehealth appointments for Medicare patients were being billed at a higher rate than audio-only visits. Had it not been changed, some doctors’ offices in West Virginia, especially in rural areas without access to broadband internet, would have had to close their doors, State Board of Medicine … Continue Reading
April 20, 2020
WV Strong: Logan Miller, Monongalia County
by Senator Joe Manchin
This story of a Better Angel comes from Morgantown, WV. After learning from his father that many truck drivers are struggling to find a place to stop and eat on the road due to restaurants closing, Logan Miller decided to do something about it.He gathered his allowance with his parents’ blessing and went to the grocery store to stock up on snacks and bottled water so he could assemble care packages to hand out to truckers.I truly appreciate Logan for his selfless, outstanding efforts and … Continue Reading
April 19, 2020
WV Strong: Lillian Rubenstein, Marion County
by Senator Joe Manchin
This story of a Better Angel came in from Becky Pack of the Girl Scouts of Black Diamond. Girl Scout, Lillian Rubenstein, from Marion County, started sewing masks for members of her family and has since branched out to make masks for medical professionals. So many of our state and national leaders got their start as Scouts. I’m so proud of Lillian for using her resources and creativity to make a difference in her … Continue Reading
April 18, 2020
WV Strong: John Tobin, Berkeley County
by Senator Joe Manchin
This next story of a Better Angel comes from Inwood, WV. J&T’s Neighborhood Bar and Grill is a locally owned, 3rd generation small business, owned by John Tobin. Since the closing of schools they have served hundreds of free meals to kids via carryout. They have also turned the fence around their business into a “fence of fondness” where community members stop and put up a sign general or personal thanking front line workers and businesses. They are also delivering meals to local … Continue Reading
April 17, 2020
WV Strong: Public Safety Telecommunicators
by Senator Joe Manchin
This year, as we celebrate National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, we are doing so at a time when many of our unsung, everyday heroes have been thrust onto the front lines in an unprecedented way. I am proud to take the time to acknowledge that these individuals are the gold thread holding us all together in these uncertain times, and I invite our entire statewide community to do the same.It is vital that public safety communicators are acknowledged for the work they do every day, … Continue Reading
April 16, 2020
WV Strong: Americorps Volunteers
Today’s Better Angels are all of our AmeriCorps volunteers, like Mykaela Handschumacher from Pleasants County (pictured).The Coronavirus crisis has left many students feeling frightened, worried and overwhelmed. During this time of need, Education Alliance AmeriCorps Mentors are continuing their service mentoring 900 students in 35 schools across West Virginia.They are helping by:-Virtual mentoring, which includes phone calls, emails, video mentoring sessions.-Mailing home letters … Continue Reading
April 15, 2020
WV Strong: Brooke Grantham, Jefferson County
Today’s Better Angel is Brooke Grantham, a Jefferson High School and Fairmont State graduate who is now serving as a travel nurse in New York City. Brooke is one of the many health care professionals working long shifts and making due with the supplies that are available. Though her contract is up soon, she said she plans to sign on for another 21-day commitment. Thank you Brooke, and all nurses and essential workers, for your life-changing efforts.Brooke Grantham is kneeling center, … Continue Reading
April 13, 2020
WV Strong: Ben Shumiloff
I want to thank Shalee Shumiloff for sending me today’s Better Angel, Ben Shumiloff.Since it is Autism Awareness Month, Shalee wanted to share the story of how her son, Ben is being WV Strong through this tough time.Shalee said that with school closed, she feared that a lack of normal routines would throw him for a loop. But in Shalee’s words:“He is doing word searches, math, painting and watching his favorite shows. He loves his puppy. He asks a lot of questions. He wants to fill in … Continue Reading
April 11, 2020
WV Strong: Amanda Joy Ward, Nicholas County
by Senator Joe Manchin
Today, I have a very special Easter story.This very special story comes from Kris Ward in Nicholas County. Kris sent this better Angel story about her daughter, Amanda Joy Ward.When I was Governor, Kris was working as an AmeriCorps volunteer. Every year, we had a wonderful Easter Egg Hunt, and Kris would attend.We usually had it on the Capitol grounds, but that year the weather was so dreary, we had to move it inside the Capitol. Kris's young daughter, Amanda Joy, was participating in … Continue Reading
April 11, 2020
WV Strong: Andy Colandrea, Jefferson County
by Senator Joe Manchin
Today’s Better Angel comes from the Eastern Panhandle. I want to thank Andy Colandrea and the team at Andy’s Pizza for working around the clock to raise money to help feed the children of Ranson and Charles Town. They have been diligently working to make sure these children do not go without and it an honor to showcase their team … Continue Reading
April 10, 2020
WV Strong: Bert Caswell
by Senator Joe Manchin
On this Good Friday, I hope that you and your loved ones are healthyI’ve been seeing so many great WV Strong stories. Every day, I’m so proud to share a story with you. Today’s better Angel is Bert Caswell, who wrote a wonderful poem that is dedicated to all our heroes on the frontlines of this pandemic.Bert’s poem is called “America, We’ve Been there … Continue Reading
April 09, 2020
WV Strong: Angela Collier, Boone County
Today's story of a Better Angel comes from Robin Bowman, the LifeBridge AmeriCorps Director. She sent in a story from one of our AmeriCorps workers, Angela Collier, who is serving at a high school in Boone County. The first few days the school focused on planning - Planning food preparations, educational packets and everything else in between. Angela kept trying to find new ways to be able to reach students so they would have all the information they needed. She and everyone involved … Continue Reading
April 09, 2020
WV Strong: Beth Fitzgerald, Harrison County
I want to thank Beth Fitzgerald for sending me today’s Better Angels. A group of dedicated West Virginians are working together to feed more than 500 at-risk seniors. Because of the work of the Mountaineer Food Bank, the Harrison County Senior Citizens Center, United Rentals and the WV National Guard, seniors in Harrison County can stay at home and remain healthy. It’s truly inspiring to see everyone pitching in to do what they can. The Mountaineer Food Bank supplied two months of food, The … Continue Reading
April 06, 2020
WV Strong: Karl and Danielle Johnson, Hot Meals for WV Heroes
I am so very proud of the Hot Meals for WV Heroes - Frontline Foods WV, started by Karl Johnson and his wife Danielle, for their efforts that support local restaurants and feed our WV healthcare heroes at the same time. Click here to learn more or follow this effort on … Continue Reading
April 06, 2020
WV Strong: Vienna, WV small businesses
A group of small businesses teamed up to encourage members of the community to donate "snack packs of encouragement" to local medical staff. Organizers collected 1300 snack packs during the weekend and delivered them today. "Community members are encouraged to bring clear zip lock bags filled with items like water, snacks, candy and a letter of encouragement and thanks. Acceptable items include bottled water, pop, prepackaged snacks, candy, gum and hand lotion. Homemade food will … Continue Reading
